The big one takes place tonight. If two big clubs and perceived title challengers pitting their wits against each other isn’t mouthwatering enough the fact a single goal separated these sides at the top of the table after the final day last season should have neutrals salivating.

If things are anyway as close this term what happens tonight could prove vital. Granted other teams hope to be involved in the push and in such a tight league anything can happen, but if last season is anything to go by this could be a vital encouther.

The reigning champions had a mini blip with two league and one cup defeat on the trot, but showed good spirit and big game nous by bouncing back with an impressive away win to Crumlin United just last week.

On the other hand Bluebell lost on the opening day and are unbeaten since. Five wins and a draw since that St Patricks CY reverse leaves them in fourth with games in hand over the teams above them. It also suggests they are the form side going into the big clash.

Regardless of tables and permutations tonight’s Porterstown hosted clash will play host to some of the best amateur players in the country and a game of League of Ireland quality could be seen.

It might not seem the most important fixture upon first glance, but tonight’s Irish town hosted top flight match could really set the tone for both sides as the Winter period approaches.

CY made a positive start to the campaign and really caught the eye early doors. However, back to back defeats have taken the shine of that bright start. Must win might be to dramatic a billing for this one, but they certainly won’t want to lose a third straight tie. Another defeat might deflate the confidence built up with their impressive season opening.

The do have tricky winger Daniel Kelly back after he was missing against the Orchard last weekend and will be hopeful of a second home win of the season.

Portmarnock on the other hand have hit real form after finding their feet in the division. The promoted side have are on a run of three league wins and if they can make it four tonight they may just start looking up the table rather than over their shoulder.

One of those wins came against reigning champions St Mochtas, but all of their 10 points this season have come from home fixtures. They will be keen to get a first away result tonight.

It’s Wicklow versus Kildare in this Senior Sunday clash and true to the nature of such a tight division there is a lot riding on the result.

Newbridge are another promoted side in good form with three wins from their last three. Indeed, if results go their way tonight a win could get them up to second. The likes of Sean Byrne and Aji Sule-former Senior Sunday winners with Bluebell- have been impressive and don’t seem to be content on just securing safety, while Kenny Carr continues to drive home the goals for an ambitious Town side.

If Paul Perth’s men can bank another three points they can also become a side that dare to dream of a top half finish and maybe set their goals accordingly moving forward.

On the other hand Stone’s need a win badly. Considering they are better off at this stage this season than they were at the same time in the previous would suggest there might not be much to worry about. However, a third great escape would be a big ask and they will be keen to have more points on the board going into the winter.

They stopped a run of defeats with a draw against Malahide last time out and will be to secure a win that might get them out of the bottom three tonight.

Firhouse Clover go into this clash with the basement side on the back of three wins and three clean sheets. That should provide confidence and if they needed any extra motivation that could be derived from the knowledge a fourth win will see them move to within three points of league leaders Killester United with a game in hand.

With a new look team it may prove hard to set clear pre season goals as figuring out best formations and selections may play a part, but if Clover can continue to win real belief might enter the squad.

In Leixlip’s case a win is nigh on a must tonight. They are the only side in the division yet to register victory and have just one point to their name from six games.

They were competitive in their opening three games, but conceded 11 in their last three and although it’s early doors in a division were anything seems possible they will be result desperate tonight.

Bangor Celtic FC vs Malahide United, Iveagh Grounds 7:45 pm

It’s a battle of two sides who have made inconsistent starts at the Iveagh League Grounds on Friday.

Both squads have shown flashes of real quality, but have mixed good results and displays with disappointing reverses.

Granted it’s early days and one result can see you jump up the table, but if they lose and results go against them either of these sides could end up in the bottom three.

Malahide haven’t won in three but did manage to get a point last time out, while Bangor go into the clash on the back of two defeats.

Bangor will take solace in the fact they have only played at home once this season- and they won that game- while Malahide have yet to pick up a point on the road.

However, the Gannon Park side won both clashes between the pair last season.

The meeting of Drumcondra and Cherry Orchard means there will be three days of Senior Sunday football to look forward to this weekend.

Neither side have started as they would have liked, but the Orchard seem to have settled and are starting to string together results and performances.

The registered an impressive 4-1 over St Patricks CY last time out and that came on the back of a draw with Bluebell United.

There new additions seem to be finding their feet and those at Elmdale are confident of a run of results awaits.

Drums on the other hand are dreaming of a run of results. Saturday night’s hosts only have one win to their name this season, but more worryingly they have only scored twice in five games. They have conceeded 10 in their last two, but could caveat that by the fact their last two fixtures were against Bluebell and Killester United.

At the very least this coming Saturday they will be hoping for a performance, but they will be aware they need to pick up some points soon.

Killester United vs Crumlin United FC, Haddon Park Killester 11:00 am

If you thought the big games were all reserved for Friday you were mistaken.

Sunday’s Senior Sunday instalment could serve up another helping of sensational football.

Early front runners Killester take on recent late chargers Crumlin United at Haddon Park.

A win for Killester certainly wouldn’t prove a massive shock but it would be a massive statement. At the very least it would put them six points clear and if they could add Crumlin to Mochtas as big names they defeated confidence and belief would certainly increase on the Northside.

Killester go into clash on the back of a defeat after they were surprised by Newbridge away last time out, but have looked very impressive at home this term.

Crumlin also go into the the clash on the back of a reverse, but have lost in different circumstances to Killester.

The Armagh Road residents two defeats have come in big games this season. Both Mochtas and Bluebell have beaten Martin Loughrans men in league action this season and they will be keen to show they are big game capable with a performance Sunday morning.